US coalition forces shot down Syrian Army jet Sunday

US military downs Syrian Army jet near Raqqa after it dropped bombs near Syrian Democratic Force

The United States military shot down a Syrian Air Force fighter jet Sunday after it dropped bombs near US-backed forces.

It was the first time the United States Air Force downed a Syrian Army aircraft.

The attack was carried out near the ISIS stronghold, Raqqa, after the Syrian jet dropped bombs close to US-coalition partner forces of the Syrian Democratic Force.

The Syrian Army responded to the attacks first by claiming that the jet had crashed and the pilot was missing, hours later then stating that the attack was “an attempt to undermine the efforts of the army as the only effective force capable with its allies… This comes at a time when the Syrian army and its allies were making clear advances in fighting the Daesh [Islamic State] terrorist group.”

The United States Coalition forces in Syria confirmed that incident, noting that the coalition foes not “seek to fight Syrian regime”. They also reported that they had contacted its Russian counterparts by phone to establish “’de-confliction line’ to de-escalate the situation and stop the firing.”

The Coalition released an official statement with details of the incident and its position:

“In accordance with rules of engagement and in collective self-defense of Coalition partnered forces, it was immediately shot down by a US F/A-18E Super Hornet. The Coalition’s mission is to defeat Isis in Iraq and Syria. The Coalition does not seek to fight Syrian regime, Russian, or pro-regime forces partnered with them, but will not hesitate to defend Coalition or partner forces from any threat. The Coalition presence in Syria addresses the imminent threat ISIS in Syria poses globally. The demonstrated hostile intent and actions of pro-regime forces toward Coalition and partner forces in Syria conducting legitimate counter-ISIS operations will not be tolerated.”